Is my sweet old girl okay?

[MissNess22]

Hi everybody, I'm new to the forum. I have a 10 year old female rottweiler, she was neutered at about a month old, (I think, I was twelve when this happened) and she's had knee surgery on her back hind leg when she was about two and her right hip is slightly displaced - she has a limp occassionally but not always. I just found out about her hip recently, I always thought her limp was associated with her weak knee.

I am her primary caretaker, I feed her and walk her and give her all the love and attention that she needs on a daily basis (my family's a bunch of lazy butt's I think.) She is kept as an outside dog, that's my Mom's call since she was a rather mischievous puppy. Her name is Manaya, which means beautiful in Samoan, because she is in fact quite a beauty even now that's she's getting gray. There's a little background on my baby, now here is what is causing me great concern.

On Monday night I got home from work and my folks told me that Manaya had thrown up three big piles of seemingly unchewed not even slightly digested dog food and that she hadn't had a bowl movement that whole day. I went outside to see how she was doing she had her same sweet attitude but she was behaving as though her stomach was upset. I figured that she was fine at the time because she was up and about when I asked her to and she had on her smile and seemed happy.

[dmoniz]

She could have eaten something that is now causing an obstuction, or she could have eaten something that just caused an upset stomach, or it could be something to do with her age. Considering her age I would suggest a trip to the vet for bloodwork and possibly xrays. Otherwise, you could take her off food for 24 hours and then start her on a bland diet like ground turkey and rice for a day or two and then slowly reintroduce her regular food if everything is going ok. Again I have to stress that I am NOT a vet and things like this are really difficult to diagnose over a computer anyway, so start with the vet to make sure there isn't something more serious going on first.

[MissNess22]

Hi everybody I'm new to the forum. I have a 10 year old female rottweiler named Manaya, which means beautiful in Samoan because ever since she was a pup she has been the most gorgeous looking dog we've ever seen. She was neutered at about a month old (I think, I was twelve at the time it's kind of fuzzy) and she had knee surgery when she was about three, her back right leg. She occassionally limps, I always attributed it to her weak knee and weather changes but I have recently found out her right hip is slightly displaced and that her hips as the doc says are "very small." Now when you look at her this child doesn't look like she has small hips, She's very muscular but also overweight 125lbs even though I've had her on weight management food, cut down her food quantity and walk her at least twice a week. She has an extremely sweet temperment and likes just about everybody . There are only a few Manaya didn't like, but I figured her for common sense because I didn't like those individuals either.

Lately I have been worried about her, besides what I already told you about we've never known Manaya to complain about pain or anything, she always gets up and wiggles her butt when someone goes outside and she will even dance if you scratch the right spot on her rear. (this is when she is at her absolute cutest I think)

To the point, Monday night my folks called me up and told me that Manaya was very sick, she threw up three big piles of what looked like unchewed and undigested dog food and that she was shaking and seemed like she was hurting. They told me to check on her when I got home, and by the time I got there she was the same old girl I know, she got up to greet me, booty wiggling and all, she basically seemed just fine. I figure she had an upset stomach earlier, it wouldn't be the first time, so I figured she was fine and went to bed.

I got up and fed her before I went to work the next morning, I was doing routine I guess, didn't think that feeding her would be a bad idea and she would definately be mad at me if I didn't. I left for work and got back at about 4 in the afternoon and found my girl just lying by the back sliding door, her breathing was fast and seemed labored and her belly was swollen. This is when I got officially worried. She is now my responsibility and I will confess that I have not read books on how to take care of a rott and at this time didn't know anything about her genetic weaknesses or even dog problems, etc, except for the hip and joint problems we already found out the hard way about years before. I spent the entire rest of the day outside with her trying to figure out what I could do. We had pest control come through so I thought maybe poison was affecting her so I scrubbed her down and her water and food bowl, then I thought maybe it was the heat, the last few days were incredibly hot and humid which is not the trend here in Corona - I figured the bath would cool her off and I kept her on the front porch where I always sit to catch the breeze and sit in the shade. I talked to her, pet her and loved her, this is all I know how to do. I kept watching and waiting for her to get better. I wanted to see her go poop, throw up, anything that would relieve what looked like a swollen, not simply chubby, belly.

At about midnight last night my mind turned towards a serious problem, I went on the internet and typed in her symptoms and discovered the Bloated Stomach sights telling about how this could kill any dog who might have it. I called the vet and he wanted to see her so I took her down immediately. She was behaving very excited to be out on a car ride, she was excited to see the doctor, he described her as "very spunky." He x-rayed her and said she didn't have the twist to indicate Bloating but she might be in the first stages of it - pretty much from what I gather he didn't know. He said he saw something funny in her x-ray though, a "weird shape." in her stomach, her tummy was full of digested food and her intestines were lined up for several pooping sessions but she wasn't going and he couldn't tell me why. He gave her a shot that was supposed to help for a stomachache, gave me puppy pepto bismo and told me to go to walgreens and get her some Mylanta.

I stayed up as long as I could with her but I eventually had to go to bed. The doc told me not to feed her, to let her body work out all the backup that is already going on in her body and to my intense relief she went poop a couple times that night or this morning, but her belly is still bloated. I'm giving her the pepto and the mylanta, and I'm moderating her water, I've only let her have about four cups today. When she isn't lying down on her side she seems just fine, she'll follow me around the yard or come to me when I ask her to but when she is laid out those are the time I feel afraid, her belly is swollen, but it's not bloating, or is it...I just don't know.

Any comments, feedback or anything would be much appreciated,

Thanks :)

MissNess

[MissNess22]

I didn't know that this one posted, it dissapeared suddenly and sent me back to the forum before I finished so I posted a new one. Thanks for your feedback though, I'll feed her ground turkey and rice tommorrow. She hasn't had any food today but I was puzzling out what I should feed her tommorrow.

Thanks for your reply. :)

[JeanT]

I feel bad that no one else has answered you, so I will give my non-expert opinion.

If she is still alive, stop feeding her. I do not think you should restrict her water in this heat. Get her to back to your vet and find out why her stomach is still swollen. Unless he has a plan to find out why she is still swollen, get to another vet.

[dmoniz]

I saw that you already went to the vet. If she still doesn't keep the food down after tomorrows feeding take her back to the vet and ask for a barium series. That will let you know if there is a blockage somewhere.

[MissNess22]

Thanks for your replies, I need to talk to my parents and see what they want to do since they will have to pay for whatever she needs. I think another vet visit is a good idea, and I think barium might be called for because there is no reason at this point for her belly to still be full of the food that was in it yesterday. She's been asking for more food though, isn't that a good sign? And furthermore, would it be a bad idea to give her a laxitive?

[moondog]

I have a feeling there is more going on here than a bellyful of food. You said she's pooped twice, so it doesn't sound like she needs a laxative and I surely wouldn't give her any on our advice, only on your vet's advice.

You need to find out what that "funny looking shape" in her belly is. See if your vet can give you a referral to an internal medicine specialist and take the xrays that have already been taken to the specialist for a consultation. That's what I'd try to do...

If she is hungry and hasn't eaten for 24 hours, has pooped, then I would give her small meals 3-4 times a day for now until you find out what's going on, unless your vet gave you strict instructions NOT to feed her for a longer period of time. Make sure she has fresh, clean water available all the time - don't restrict her water intake.

And I have to say....Manaya is a very beautiful name. I hope everything works out in her favor.

[MissNess22]

Once again thanks for the responses, my folks opted to see how she was doing this morning, we gave her a little bit to eat last night and she kept it down, she went poop again this morning and she has kept down her breakfast and she's even spunkier today - I think breaking up her meals is doing her good - prevents her from stuffing herself. She still has a pregnant look to her, although less pregnant than yesterday.

Personally still want to do what Moondog said to find out what's in her tummy and if it's gonna hurt her, but my Mom says "It's probably been in there a while and if it's not hurting her then she'll be fine." Furthermore she said, "And what if there's something in there that could cause harm, she'll have to have surgury - can she survive surgery?" She says she's trying to be Optimistic, so I'm going to be optimistic - I just don't want to be dillusional and lose my puppy when I know she's one of the ones who's going to live the 13 years.

Thanks again for responding, everyone's answers gave me some relief as only information in a time of confusion and panic can. I got better answers here than I got from the vet. God Bless!

[theoriginalflyingl]

Your vet can inform you if it's safe to preform necessary surgury. But it would be foolish not to find out the cause. It could end up being something simple to fix. Please try to get your parents to take her back to the vet and get an accurate diagnosis.

[Birdie'sMom]

Please take your girl to the vet. If you just ignore what is there she could be suffering. There may be something wrong and no, she may not survive the sugery. But at that point, maybe putting her down is the best option. Not letting her go on when she might me in pain. Please don't let your girl suffer. This is so sad and I can't understand waiting to see what happens to her. That is just cruel, in my opinion.

[mook1620]

Originally Posted by MissNess22

but my Mom says "It's probably been in there a while and if it's not hurting her then she'll be fine." Furthermore she said, "And what if there's something in there that could cause harm, she'll have to have surgury - can she survive surgery?" She says she's trying to be Optimistic, so I'm going to be optimistic -!

That doesn't sound optimistic, it sounds dismissive. And, obviously something is hurting her. It would be nice if you could wish bad things away...but you still have to be realistic. Maybe you have some savings of your own you could take her to the vet with, or the vet would set you up on a payment plan? You owe it the old girl to MAKE SURE she's ok, keep pestering your mom, and if she won't take her, then YOU find a way.

Good Luck, I'll be thinking of you.

Jen

I'm sorry, when I reread what I wrote it sounded harsh...to you. I thought it was flippant of your mom to say that, and only natural for you to want to believe in what she's saying, but again, be realistic. Keep hoping...and take her to the vet

[pharoahsmom]

It is easier to be optomisic and dismissive when you are relying on someone else to make a responsible decision and pay the bills. Take it from me, a few days makes a huge difference. My Pharoah stopped eating and pooping but seemed happy so I made every excuse possible for a week ( the heat, he was lonely etc). By the time I did get him checked, he was unable to eat and on his last days. Dont just disregard a distended belly. Dogs will eat grass if they have an upset stomache or constipation..they know when to self medicate. If he is not pooping equal to what he is eating....be concerned.